VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds (7-10-1) will act as hosts away from home this weekend as they welcome the No. 6-ranked Manitoba Bisons (14-4-0) to the George Preston Arena in Langley (directions available below). The Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre is now closed for non-Olympic related events.
With the move to Langley comes a pair of unfamiliar start times. On Friday, the T-Birds and Bisons will lock horns starting at 8 p.m. while Saturday's tilt has a puck drop of 7 p.m.
The weekend series has major playoff implications for the T-Birds as they are currently tied with Regina for the fourth and final playoff spot on 15 points. The Cougars have two games in hand over the 'Birds, meaning UBC will need to try and extract points out of each of their final six games to pull ahead in the standings.
The Bisons, who have already clinched a spot in the post season, may be vulnerable as their recent record indicates a slight drop in their play. Following back-to-back losses to third place Saskatchewan two weeks ago, Manitoba only picked up a pair of one-goal victories (2-1 SO and 1-0) over the lowly Calgary Dinos (3-14-1) last weekend.
UBC will need to try and take advantage of the Bisons' recent woes, as each game is vital to their post season lives.
A look at the ThunderbirdsUBC let an opportunity slip away last weekend, only picking up a split on the road in Lethbridge. Their 4-1 loss on Saturday night meant they failed to move ahead of the Cougars in the race to the playoffs. That weekend typified the T-Birds up and down season that has seen them at times look very good and at others have left one scratching their heads.
Finishing has been the T-Birds biggest obstacle this season, and their 39 goals in 18 games has just not been enough.
Tamara Pickford leads the offensive effort with 15 points (six goals, nine assists) and is tied for ninth in league scoring.
Lisa Bonang is also putting together another solid campaign with 13 points, however, they are the only two 'Birds who have scored more than eight points this year. Second-years
Kaitlin Imai and
Chelsea Laing have come on strong as of late, Laing had two goals last weekend on the road, and will be relied upon down the stretch.
Injuries have slowed UBC down along the blueline as standouts
Rayna Cruickshank and
Kelsey Halvorson both missed time in Lethbridge. Goalie
Melinda Choy continues to be the workhorse in net, playing all 18 games for UBC this season. She sports a 2.50 GAA and .907 save percentage to go along with a pair of shutouts.
A look at the BisonsManitoba started off the season battling Alberta for top spot in the conference, however, now they are trying to fend off Saskatchewan for second spot in the conference. The Bisons trail Alberta by 10 points atop the standings and are just five in front of the Huskies who swept Manitoba two weeks ago.
The Bisons have also struggled against the teams in the lower half of the league, having been pushed to overtime or a shootout in six of their last seven games against opponents with losing records.
Star goalie Stacey Corfield has been a big reason why Manitoba has won so many close games this year as she ranks second in the league with a 1.77 GAA and third with a .921 save percentage. Addie Miles is the key on offence, and she sits tied for fourth in league scoring on 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists). Overall, the Bisons have not scored at an elite level this year, only 45 goals through 18 games, which could come back to haunt them in the playoffs. Rookie defenceman Caitlin MacDonald is having a standout year as she leads all defenceman and all rookies with 14 points (five goals, nine assists).
Directions to George Preston Arena (Langley, BC)Take HWY 1 eastbound
Take exit 58 for 200 St. South
Continue along 200 St. (heading south) and then turn LEFT (east) on 42 ave
Destination address: 20699 42 Avenue
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